Irving, Waiters and Zeller on “Team Shaq”; Thompson on “Team Chuck”

In a bit of a surprise move, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving went third overall in the BBVA Rising Stars draft, ultimately ending up on Shaquille O’Neal’s “Team Shaq.” Irving, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, was taken after the two players who are odds on favorites to win this year’s award in Portland’s Damian Lillard and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis.

Selected 12th and 13th, respectively, were Irving’s teammates Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. Thompson, who one night ago said that he would like to play with Irving, was drafted by Charles Barkley for “Team Chuck,” while Waiters was later paired with Irving.

Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller went undrafted and was a part of the four-man “blind draw” which ultimately landed him with Irving and Waiters on Team Shaq. Irving will also be joined by childhood friends Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Harrison Barnes.

Irving is the reigning Rising Stars MVP, finishing with 34 points on 12-of-13 shooting and making all eight of his 3-point attempts in 2012.

Irving should have been #1 but he ended up benefiting. Lillard can bring the ball up allowing Kyrie to shooooooooooooooooooooooot!

Jaker

I was expecting Irving to get passed on because he may not play that much in the Rising Stars game because he’s an actual All Star, but neither Shaq nor Chuck said that was the reason. Shame on them, still, Irving getting no respect. I’m actually pissed at that

Return of the (Alex) Mack

After the Chicago Denver game Shaq mentioned the fact that he passed on Kyrie because he was not sure how much he wanted to play in the game.

The_Real_Shamrock

Shaq tried to trade Irving at the halftime of that game too. Straight-up for the Manimal.

Vindictive_Pat

How much did Kyrie really work to get that 8/8 from the 3-point line last year anyway? He pretty much just walked up to the line and shot it… buckets.

Quick version: many studies just looked at kids who were in music rather than introduce them to control groups. you end up w/ more involved parents (across financial spectrums) and more affluent parents (who then also can afford things like tutors).